United offers subscription plan for legroom, baggage

Published 9:57 pm, Monday, June 3, 2013

United will offer an annual subscription for better seats or prepaid checked-baggage charges.
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United will offer an annual subscription for better seats or prepaid checked-baggage charges.
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Photo: Bill Montgomery

United offers subscription plan for legroom, baggage

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United Airlines has revived a program that allows fliers to purchase an annual subscription for better seats or prepaid checked-baggage charges.

The Chicago-based airline, which has a major hub in Houston, is the first U.S. carrier to offer such subscriptions for its extra-legroom economy seating and checked-baggage service charges. United officials say the program will allow travelers to customize their flights and offer an additional convenience.

The Economy Plus sections of United planes offer additional legroom and are available on 700 mainline and 180 United Express aircraft. The annual subscription for that package would range from $499 to $1,099, depending on the number of travelers and the geographic area.

The checked-baggage subscription allows customers to prepay standard checked baggage charges for one year. Customers can customize their subscription by choosing up to two bags, the number of travelers and preferred geographic region. The cost for the subscription ranges from $349 to $999 a year.

The passenger and up to eight guests can benefit from the subscriptions.

United spokeswoman Karen May said the fact that passengers can customize their packages makes the service unique. She said the service is not directed at any particular type of flier. "One of our major goals is always customer service," May said. "This is just part of that effort. Whatever we can do to make it easier for passengers."

George Hobica, founder of AirfareWatchdog.com, said Economy Plus seating is based on availability and might not be guaranteed for those who buy subscriptions. He said the program appears to be expanded from a program that United offered before its merger with Continental.

He said both deals potentially would save money for passengers who travel frequently and use those services each time.

"You have to take a certain number of flights for it to pay off," he said. "The danger is that you buy it and you think you'll fly a lot and then you won't use it."

Hobica said he would not be surprised if other airlines followed suit and created similar programs. He said United may be in a cash crunch, and getting the money upfront could be like getting a loan from future liabilities.

"I guess the question is: Why is United doing this in the first place?" Hobica said. "They only have so many seats. If they sell more than they can provide seats for, they win."

"They are gambling that enough people will buy it and perhaps not use it or not have the opportunity to. They could sell a million packages, not increasing the number of seats."